Looks like Pure and Simple, that short documentary on Una Pizza Napoletana that we blogged about last summer when it appeared in the NYC Food Film Festival, is finally available in its entirety online, thanks to New York magazine's Vulture Picture Palace.
It follows obsessive pizzaiolo Anthony Mangieri through one day in the life of his renown Naples-style pizzeria. At nine minutes, it's a bit longer than most web video we bring you, but it's the weekend. It ain't gonna kill you to watch. And, who knows, you might learn something.
That's a great name for a great film. My favorite part is the return after the credits. I love how after all these years he's still not sure how good his pies are gonna be that day and he has to continue to strive to master his craft. Pizzamaking is in a Venn with golf in that regard and Mangieri is certainly in a Venn with Tiger Woods.
He almost reminds me of Mark Isreal from the Doughnut plant in that he's very dedicated to his craft. "Pure and Simple", defines his pizza to a perfect "T".
I have eaten at Una Pizza three times and each has been fantastic. Great pies, great music and a focused crew. Anthony is always there at the dough table making each pie himself. When the dough runs out the day is done.
he deserves this. someone who really goes out of his way and believes in something, needs recognition. right or wrong. in this case, he's obviously right. thank God someone is doing something with heart. i actually always wanted anthony to make bread too. i would pay alot for it. but i am sure he's too busy unfortunately.
Gianluca http://www.pizzaandcoffee.com/
Now I know you are all going to say I am nuts, but one of our experts went to this place and reviewed it and disliked it! Before you all go off the deep end please find the review and you will see why. My favorite place in Florida happens to think Una Pizza is one of the best, so I have to take his word for it, but as far as the expert I sent to try this place is concerned, there are far better in Manhattan!
@pizzaexpert Got link? I can't find the review. As far as there being far better places in Manhattan, that's a strong statement. To me you are comparing apples to bowling balls. There may be places with better atmosphere or more creatively topped pies, but when it comes to pure and simple Napoletana pizza, I've yet to find better. Perhaps you need to make a pilgrimage.
Adam has never claimed to be a pizza expert. Paulie Gee has never claimed it. Chris Bianco? Nope. Me? Nope. Mangieri? Nope. DJ Bubbles? Negative. Tom Lehmann? Nah. Ed Levine? That's a no. Jeff Varasano? No.
Thanks for the link Prarie. It must be my Roberta's wine and orangecello hangover. It's interesting that with all the things mentioned in that review, not word one about UPN's crust, which is what makes it so special to me. And thanks very much for including me in that group of true pizza heavyweights. That is very flattering.
And for full disclosure, UPN doesn't even come close to being in my top 5 pizzeria in the country, probably not even the city. That being said I can't stand someone being dismissive because they don't UNDERSTAND Neapolitan pizza. The pizzas were "too much alike", "too much basil", come on. And, really, if you think Anthony Mangieri is going to really care that you might write about him on your blog....come on. He's been written up (good and bad) in just about every major publication in NY. I think he's gonna be fine.
Thanks for commenting! Your comment has been accepted and will appear in a moment.
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it pleasant. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
Print
15 Comments:
okay that was good.
Prairie at 12:26PM on 04/04/09
That makes me want to make some pizza. Best of luck to Anthony.
Tombolo at 1:04PM on 04/04/09
Awesome. Thanks for posting.
s4xton at 1:34PM on 04/04/09
That's a great name for a great film. My favorite part is the return after the credits. I love how after all these years he's still not sure how good his pies are gonna be that day and he has to continue to strive to master his craft. Pizzamaking is in a Venn with golf in that regard and Mangieri is certainly in a Venn with Tiger Woods.
Ciao,
Paulie Gee
pauliegee at 1:41PM on 04/04/09
He almost reminds me of Mark Isreal from the Doughnut plant in that he's very dedicated to his craft. "Pure and Simple", defines his pizza to a perfect "T".
djai695 at 5:42PM on 04/04/09
I have eaten at Una Pizza three times and each has been fantastic. Great pies, great music and a focused crew. Anthony is always there at the dough table making each pie himself. When the dough runs out the day is done.
elocinxxx at 6:31PM on 04/04/09
Wow. Beautiful and impressive. What a craft.
emilytaylor at 7:46PM on 04/04/09
he deserves this. someone who really goes out of his way and believes in something, needs recognition. right or wrong. in this case, he's obviously right. thank God someone is doing something with heart. i actually always wanted anthony to make bread too. i would pay alot for it. but i am sure he's too busy unfortunately.
Gianluca
http://www.pizzaandcoffee.com/
nextgospel at 10:02PM on 04/04/09
Can't wait to get there and give it a try, looks impressive. Pizza as it was meant to be, not a lot of crap.
dmcavanagh at 11:10PM on 04/04/09
Now I know you are all going to say I am nuts, but one of our experts went to this place and reviewed it and disliked it! Before you all go off the deep end please find the review and you will see why. My favorite place in Florida happens to think Una Pizza is one of the best, so I have to take his word for it, but as far as the expert I sent to try this place is concerned, there are far better in Manhattan!
pizzaexpert at 10:04AM on 04/05/09
@pizzaexpert Got link? I can't find the review. As far as there being far better places in Manhattan, that's a strong statement. To me you are comparing apples to bowling balls. There may be places with better atmosphere or more creatively topped pies, but when it comes to pure and simple Napoletana pizza, I've yet to find better. Perhaps you need to make a pilgrimage.
Ciao,
Paulie Gee
pauliegee at 11:45AM on 04/05/09
http://www.worstpizza.com/2008/12/una-pizza-napoletana-new-york-city-nyc/
@PaulieGee- Don't worry, it's just a bunch of whiny rambling like everything else on that site.
Prairie at 1:25PM on 04/05/09
What makes you a pizza "expert", anyway?
Adam has never claimed to be a pizza expert. Paulie Gee has never claimed it. Chris Bianco? Nope. Me? Nope. Mangieri? Nope. DJ Bubbles? Negative. Tom Lehmann? Nah. Ed Levine? That's a no. Jeff Varasano? No.
Who says you are a pizza expert?
Prairie at 1:27PM on 04/05/09
Thanks for the link Prarie. It must be my Roberta's wine and orangecello hangover. It's interesting that with all the things mentioned in that review, not word one about UPN's crust, which is what makes it so special to me. And thanks very much for including me in that group of true pizza heavyweights. That is very flattering.
Ciao,
Paulie Gee
pauliegee at 3:56PM on 04/05/09
And for full disclosure, UPN doesn't even come close to being in my top 5 pizzeria in the country, probably not even the city. That being said I can't stand someone being dismissive because they don't UNDERSTAND Neapolitan pizza. The pizzas were "too much alike", "too much basil", come on. And, really, if you think Anthony Mangieri is going to really care that you might write about him on your blog....come on. He's been written up (good and bad) in just about every major publication in NY. I think he's gonna be fine.
Prairie at 11:02PM on 04/05/09